An Evening of Prayer, Fellowship and Entertainment at Mary with His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan

His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, walks with Mary President Monsignor James Shea and students along Sageway

Student body president Ryan Capouch of Portland, ND, presented Cardinal Dolan with an official red Mcard, instead of the standard blue student ID, and to remember the cardinal, they traded zucchettos, a red skullcap worn by cardinals.

It was a hearty welcome for a man with a jovial laugh and a gregarious and holy presence — Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the College of Cardinals.

Cardinal Dolan made his way around campus, escorted by University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea. Following evening prayer a contingent of Mary students were eager to walk and talk with him along Sageway — a walkway that runs along the western-most part of campus and overlooks the beautiful Missouri River valley. Many wanted photos with His Eminence and some were even fortunate enough to get one of his famous hugs.

Known for his quick wit and humor, it didn't take long for the "card" in the cardinal to come out on this evening as he laughed and joked with students and honored guests. When presented with a commissioned portrait of himself to be placed in the halls of the North American College in Rome, His Eminence quipped, "I love it. There's only one chin and more hair than I got."

At one point during dinner, Cardinal Dolan greeted a family with a newborn baby. He picked her up, calmed any fears she may have had and proceeded to carry her around snuggled in his left arm as he continued to greet other people.

Cardinal Dolan told distinguished guests that there's something great going on at the University of Mary. He likened it to a new spark and a revival that is graciously hospitable to all faiths. "We — the rest of the country, the rest of the world — are watching you, because you represent something fresh and daring. You represent something exciting and promising, and we are watching. And we like what we see. Terrific things are happening at Mary.

If somebody said to me, ‘where's the Incarnation going on?' I'd say, go see the University of Mary. I say, come to the University of Mary and you see the Church at its best. It's an honor to be part of it."

The night was capped off with a concert in honor of His Eminence featuring the University of Mary Steel Band, Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz. At the conclusion of the concert, student body president Ryan Capouch of Portland, ND, presented Cardinal Dolan with an official red Mcard, instead of the standard blue student ID, and to remember the cardinal, they traded zucchettos, a red skullcap worn by cardinals. "This is exciting," Cardinal Dolan told the crowd. "I feel like I am at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. This place is alive. This place is bustling. This place is vibrant. This place is energetic — this music, the talent, the welcome, the courtesy, the goodwill here — hallelujah."

Cardinal Dolan was also one of five keynote speakers at the Diocese of Bismarck's free, three-day THIRST celebration Friday through Sunday, Oct 25 – 27.